June 25, 2002 - More than 100 Minnesota Brewing Company workers who lost their jobs yesterday are trying to figure out what is next for them. The bankrupt company closed its St. Paul brewery after lenders cut off funding. The Company's CEO says he's hopeful an investor can be found to reopen the brewery. And in the meantime the controversial Gopher State Ethanol operation at the brewery site will remain open. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
June 20, 2002 - With Jesse Ventura out of race for governor, Minnesota's Republican, Democratic and Green Party candidates are each claiming Ventura supporters will flock to their respective camps. That may be wishful thinking. Three and a half years ago Ventura won the election with 37 percent of the vote statewide. But he did much better than that in a ring of suburban metro counties north metro of the Twin Cities. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik visited Chisago county and talked to voters about the 2002 race.
June 14, 2002 - Delegates to the Republican State Convention turn their attention to endorsing a candidate for Governor today. Last night the convention belonged to U.S. Senate candidate Norm Coleman. Delegates unanimously endorsed Coleman's campaign to unseat DFL Senator Paul Wellstone, and Coleman wasted no time in attacking Wellstone's record. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
June 13, 2002 - Republican party activists will formally endorse former St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman for US Senate. Republicans are beginning their state convention this evening at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Top republicans from President Bush on down are banking on Coleman to unseat two term DFL Senator Paul Wellstone. It's a campaign of stark ideological contrasts, even though the last time Wellstone ran, Coleman was a Democrat.
June 13, 2002 - Tonight (Thursday evening) Republican party activists will formally endorse former St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman for US Senate. Republicans are beginning their state convention this evening at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Top republicans from President Bush on down are banking on Coleman to unseat two term DFL Senator Paul Wellstone. It's a campaign of stark ideological contrasts, even though the last time Wellstone ran, Coleman was a Democrat. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
June 3, 2002 - Republican Senate candidate Norm Coleman says he stands behind a campaign commercial that some Democrats say is misleading. The critics -- who include the chair of the St. Paul School Board -- says the spot gives Coleman too much credit for helping to improve St. Paul Schools. They also maintain Coleman can't say he supports more federal funding for Minnesota school AND President Bush's so-called 'Leave no Child Behind' education bill.
June 3, 2002 - INTRO: This summer Minnesotans can expect to see and hear a lot of Republican Senate Candidate Norm Coleman and DFL incumbent Paul Wellstone as the two engage in a election contest that'll cost millions of dollars and COULD shift power from Democrats to Republicans in the US Senate. For Coleman support from voters in rural Minnesota could be critical. Polls have shown Coleman and Wellstone are running neck and neck statewide but that Wellstone enjoys a comfortable lead over Coleman in greater Minnesota. Not surprisingly, Coleman is campaigning aggressively outside the metro area, mixing farm policy with his broader campaign themes.
May 28, 2002 - Senator Paul Wellstone formally launched his bid for a third term today. He toldd supporters much work remains a head of him in Washington from improving conditions for veterans to making health care, prescription drugs and housing more affordable. In seeking another six years in the Senate, Wellstone is breaking a self-imposed two-term limit.
May 9, 2002 - The possible loss of hundreds of defense industry jobs in Minnesota has become a political issue. Yesterday, the Bush administration announced it's canceling development of the Crusader artillery system being built in Minnesota. Republican Senate candidate Norm Coleman is accusing incumbent Democratic Senator Paul Wellstone of not doing enough to help save the Crusader and the Minnesota jobs associated with the program.
May 6, 2002 - Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe -- the DFL endorsed candidate for governor-- plans to talk with reporters this afternoon about legislative business and his campaign for governor. The veteran legislator beat out State Auditor Judi Dutcher and State Senator Becky Lourey to win the party endorsement over the weekend. Republicans say DFL delegates could not have picked an easier candidate to beat. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...